A MASSIVE FIND IN ITALY: THOUSANDS OF ANCIENT DINOSAUR FOOTPRINTS REVEALED IN A NORTHERN NATIONAL PARK
A remarkable paleontological discovery has emerged from Stelvio National Park in northern Italy, where researchers have uncovered thousands of dinosaur footprints dating back roughly 210 million years. Some prints reach as large as 40 cm (about 15 inches) in diameter and appear in neatly aligned, parallel rows. Many of the tracks clearly show toe and claw marks, providing a vivid glimpse into the creatures that once roamed this landscape.
Scientists believe the tracks belong to prosauropods—early, herbivorous dinosaurs characterized by long necks, relatively small heads, and sharp claws.
“I never imagined I’d encounter something this spectacular in the region I call home,” remarked Cristiano Dal Sasso, a paleontologist based in Milan.
Illustration by Fabio Manucci accompanying the study
The discovery was initially spotted last September when a photographer observed footprints extending for hundreds of meters along a sheer section of a mountain wall within Stelvio National Park, situated northeast of Milan.
During the Triassic period (roughly 250 to 201 million years ago), the area that is now the wall was a tidal flat, a shoreline feature that later became part of the Alpine mountain range as the continents shifted. Dal Sasso described the site as an enormous scientific treasure, noting that the footprint patterns suggest herds moved together in coordinated ways. There are indications of more complex behaviors as well, such as groups of animals gathering in a circle, potentially as a defensive tactic.
The prosauropods here could grow up to about 10 meters (33 feet) in length. While they typically walked on two legs, some footprints are paired with front-hand impressions, implying that the animals occasionally paused to rest their forelimbs on the ground.
Elio Della Ferrera, the photographer who found the site, expressed hope that the discovery would provoke reflection about how little humanity knows about the places we inhabit—our home planet—and spark a broader appreciation for ancient life.
According to a press release from Italy’s Ministry of Culture, the area is highly remote and lacks accessible trails. As a result, researchers will rely on drone surveys and remote sensing technologies to study the site without direct ground access.
Stelvio National Park sits in the Fraele valley near Italy’s border with Switzerland, a location not far from venues associated with the Winter Olympics scheduled for next year.
In a statement, Italy’s Ministry of Culture suggested that the find feels like history paying homage to the enduring bond between nature and human achievement, linking the ancient world with contemporary sporting moments in a symbolic transfer of legacy.
